SONIC YOUTH - Confusion Is Sex LP

Label: Goofin

Abrasive and archaic, theatrical and confrontational, Confusion Is Sex marks the opening strides that Sonic Youth made during their long slog through the American underground scene of the '80s.

The album isn't comprised of songs but rather soundscapes, while the instruments are your traditional guitar-bass-drums-vocals lineup but are performed most untraditionally. Taken as a whole, Confusion Is Sex is a spellbinding listen. The band proves their skill at creating albums upfront with great song order and showing hints of genius. A lot of subtle things Sonic Youth do get confused with pretentiousness and it really isn't fair, but I guess a band this original would have to have people who are jealous.

Confusion is Sex is only about thirty-five minutes long and that makes for a very brief, interesting listen. I can't imagine the shock of hearing this record in 1983, but hearing it many years later is still astonishing. Dark rock music at its best, and the introduction of something completely different into the world of rock ‘n roll.